Qabin



The qabin is the Mandaean wedding ritual. Mandaean weddings are typically held for several days. Traditionally, weddings must be officiated by a Mandaean priest and can only be performed for ethnic Mandaeans, although this has proved to be challenging for the contemporary Mandaean diaspora.

During the qabin wedding ceremony, a Mandaean priest reads prayers from The Wedding of the Great Šišlam. Zidqa brikha, which includes hamra and various dried fruits and nuts, is also offered and consumed. A bridal chamber called the gnana, consisting of a canopy and white cloth, is set up for the bride and groom.

Drower (1937: 59–71) contains a detailed account of a traditional Mandaean village wedding.

A wedding chamber or canopy used during Mandaean wedding ceremonies is called an andiruna, a term which is also used to refer to temporary reed huts used during priest initiation ceremonies.